DEFECTION Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

defection

noun

Definition of defection

as in apostasy

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

as in desertion

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of defection But there have also been a number of high-profile defections and sporting tensions, such as Iran’s only female Olympic medallist, Kimia Alizadeh, leaving the country in 2020. — Tamara Davison, Wired News, 17 June 2026 In replacing Bowman as GM during the 1986-87 season, Meehan oversaw numerous franchise-changing moves, including Mogilny’s defection from the Soviet Union in 1989. — ABC News, 6 June 2026 Last year, Alexander Isak’s eventual defection following a summer-long saga proved disastrous, hampering Newcastle’s own business, which had already been affected by Paul Mitchell’s departure as sporting director in May and by being pipped to their top targets. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 2 June 2026 ByteDance is offering special stock options to its AI team to prevent defections, and one Chinese robotics startup advertised an $18 million salary for a chief scientist. — J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for defection

Recent Examples of Synonyms for defection

Noun

When every disagreement with Israeli government policy became, in your telling, the first step toward apostasy?

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 6 July 2026
Marc makes an example of the penitent, powerless Jeanne, reminding the rest of his flock of the punishment for apostasy and using her rough time among the heathens as proof of why none under his control should ever want to trade his order for such modern sin and depravity.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026

Definition of apostasy

Noun

The core of the story is the desertion and betrayal of Roseanna McCoy by all concerned.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Apr. 2026
Furthermore, the Ukrainian army is short-handed, facing around 200,000 troop desertions and draft-dodging by around 2 million people, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said in January.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Apr. 2026

Definition of desertion

Noun

Millions of pilgrims converge on the holy city of Karbala, south of Baghdad, for Arbaeen, the 40th day of mourning for the killing of Imam Hussein 14 centuries ago, a definitive event in the schism between Shia and Sunni Islam.

— Jane Arraf, NPR, 30 July 2026
To waste all these resources on some esoteric arty thing, that’s when the schism started to happen for me.

— Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 July 2026

Definition of schism

Noun

If a user repeatedly views items in a specific category (such as vacation wear or bridal) without purchasing, the app triggers personalized promotional banners or cart-abandonment nudges tailored to that event.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Online shopping search is frustrating for consumers and costs retailers over $2 trillion annually in abandonment.

— David Prosser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of abandonment

Noun

When the nucleus ultimately disintegrates, these pieces move apart rapidly and the neck snaps quickly, a process known as scission.

— Charles Q. Choi, Scientific American, 24 Feb. 2021
The structure is easily broken down in a reaction called scission (like scissors), which tears up the polymer chain.

— Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, 5 Aug. 2020

Definition of scission

Noun

Another misconception is that people with debt are irresponsible.

— Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026
The tragedy sparked a broader conversation online, with survivors of domestic abuse and supporters of Gilson pushing back at the misconceptions victims often face in unhealthy or dangerous relationships.

— Rachel Hale, USA Today, 28 July 2026